Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vision Therapy?

Vision Therapy uses specialized activities to teach the eyes and brain to work together for better overall performance. It can be compared can be to Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) but for the eyes! The goal of vision therapy is to help the patient gain efficient visual skills so that they can perform better in the classroom and daily life.

I have 20/20 eyesight (visual acuity) - can there still be a visual problem?

YES! 20/20 eyesight (visual acuity) is only one part of our visual system. The way our eyes team, focus, and track are other important parts of our visual system. The way our brain processes information seen by our eyes also plays an important role.

Most school screenings, pediatrician well-checks, and some eye doctor exams check for visual acuity alone and do not screen for basic visual skills involved in reading and learning: tracking, focusing, eye teaming, and visual processing skills. Having 20/20 eyesight is not enough, just as having 98.6 temperature doesn’t necessarily indicate good health.

How do I know if the Vision Therapy at Home program is a good fit?

The Vision Therapy at Home program is intended for reading and learning related issues and symptoms. Our overall goal of the program is to alleviate symptoms and gain the visual skills to make school, work, sports, and everyday life easier.

Don’t know if you have symptoms that indicate a visual problem? Take our Symptom Checklist!

Please keep in mind, there are certain diagnoses that this program is NOT recommended for. It is not designed for individuals with the diagnosis of Strabismus, Amblyopia, Suppression, or Acquired Injury (head injury, concussion, stroke). These diagnoses require individualized programs and should be seen and treated by a developmental or behavioral Optometrist for one-on-one, individualized program at a vision therapy office. Treatment for these diagnoses needs more advanced procedures and equipment that we cannot provide in a home setting.

Vision Therapy at Home - vs - In-Office Vision Therapy

The home program is a great option for those who do not have access to an in-office program. We use the analogy of having a personal trainer vs home workout DVDs. We designed the program to follow our highly successful in-office vision therapy program as closely as possible – incorporating gross motor, eye movements, focusing, and visual processing among many other areas.

Vision Therapy at Home
• No other complete home-based VT program on the market
• Designed by Dr. Lori Mowbray, one of the most successful developmental optometrists in the country and modeled after her exceptional in-office vision therapy program
• You can complete the program in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace and schedule
• There are step by step instructions and videos designed to guide you through the activities without the assistance of a professional
• There are challenge options when the base activity is too easy; there are simplified options when the base activity is too hard

Can you look at my diagnosis and give me a recommendation?

We cannot review records or give specific medical advice or a specialized treatment plan to a patient we have never seen in-office.

Please keep in mind, there are certain diagnoses that this program is NOT recommended for. It is not designed for individuals with the diagnosis of Strabismus, Amblyopia, Suppression, or Acquired Injury (head injury, concussion, stroke). These diagnoses require individualized programs and should be seen and treated by a developmental or behavioral Optometrist for one-on-one, individualized program at a vision therapy office. Treatment for these diagnoses needs more advanced procedures and equipment that we cannot provide in a home setting.

Can I use my insurance?

This program is not directly administered by a doctor; therefore, is not submittable to medical or vision insurance, it is not eligible for insurance coverage or reimbursement. We are not able to supply any documentation for insurance purposes.

How long does the Vision Therapy at Home program take to complete?

When completing the minimum durations for all activities, the Vision Therapy at Home program will take approximately 1 year to complete (9-12 weeks per Phase). Daily practice (15-20 minutes) is important to embed the new visual skills through repetition for long term benefit.

We try to make the activities fun and the kinds of things you will be doing are different than school work; we know kids have too much of that these days!

How do I know I am making progress with Vision Therapy at Home?

Within the program there are specific instructions, videos, and goals for each activity. While there is not a formal “evaluation” structure, you will notice quickly if the participant is not meeting the goals of the activities and therefore, not able to progress in the program. If this is the case, we would recommend utilizing an in-office therapy program at that point.

Are all the activities done on the computer?

You access the program content online but the activities are conducted in real space. Early Phases focus on gross motor, big body movements among other foundational skills. We incorporate computer based activities in the later Phases once foundational skills have been established.

Overall, the computer based activities are equal to about 15% of the program.

Can I Use the Vision Therapy at Home program for more than 1 Child?

Yes you may. Siblings or parents in the same immediate family may use the same program without additional charge. In this case, you may want to purchase an additional materials kit for the second participant. However, you may not be logged into the program in 2 different browsers simultaneously or using more than 2 IP addresses per day to prevent unauthorized usage of the program.

Contact us here if you have further questions or if you are interested in a second materials kit.

Is there professional support included?

There are several ways to get your questions answered!

Comments – you may comment on any of the activities if you need some help and we will respond with guided direction

Webinars – There are periodic webinars available once per phase

Personalized Support – we have personalized, professional support options available upon request if you would like one-on-one attention with one of our Board Certified Vision Therapists.